Content Area(s): Engineering, Earth & Space Science Topic: Possible Replacement for Rockets Short description: A cable that extends from the equator to 22,236 miles in space has been proposed to transport objects from earth's surface into space without using rockets.
Claim: It may be possible to build an elevator to move objects and people into outer space.
Keywords: transport, counterweight Difficulty of Concept: Hard
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Scientific Law Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of a scientific law before playing the scenario about using a cable attached to a satellite to transport materials into space in the Reason Racer game. A scientific law is a generalized rule to explain a body of observations. It implies a cause and effect between the observed elements and must always apply under the same conditions. Scientific laws are a good evidence to use to support a claim in scientific argumentation. This movie uses Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion to explain geosynchronous orbit. Before they play the game, students could brainstorm in small groups to create a class list of scientific laws they are familiar with. Link to Game Introduction Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsm9TlXqM4w
Full Text of Article:
An object that circles the Earth at an altitude of around 22,000 miles (35,000 km) will stay over the same spot all the time. This is called a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). Now, imagine lowering a cable down to the Earth. Electromagnetic or mechanical cable cars moving up the cable could be a cheap way to move people, cargo, and even power to and from outer space. This is what some engineers would call a "space elevator."
To visualize this, imagine the game tetherball where a rope (the cable) is attached to a pole (the earth) with the ball (the counterweight) on the other end. Now, imagine the ball is placed in perpetual spin around the pole, so fast that it keeps the rope taut. This is the general idea of the space elevator. The counterweight spins around the Earth, keeping the cable straight and allowing the robotic lifters to ride up and down the ribbon.
A major requirement for such a system is the availability of cable that is both light and incredibly strong. Current materials such as steel or graphite fiber do not have the desired properties. Nevertheless, recent developments using carbon nanotube technology may solve this problem. Many scientists believe that a space elevator will be built within the next 20 to 50 years.
Space elevators could also be constructed on other planets or even the moon. The engineering challenges would be much less severe on the Moon or Mars where gravitational forces are much weaker.
Title: Elevator to Outer Space
Content Area(s): Engineering, Earth & Space ScienceTopic: Possible Replacement for Rockets
Short description: A cable that extends from the equator to 22,236 miles in space has been proposed to transport objects from earth's surface into space without using rockets.
Claim: It may be possible to build an elevator to move objects and people into outer space.
Keywords: transport, counterweight
Difficulty of Concept: Hard
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 54.0Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 9.8
Lexile: 1060
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-ETS1 Engineering DesignMS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), electromagnetic, carbon nanotube technology, gravitational force
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Scientific Law
Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of a scientific law before playing the scenario about using a cable attached to a satellite to transport materials into space in the Reason Racer game. A scientific law is a generalized rule to explain a body of observations. It implies a cause and effect between the observed elements and must always apply under the same conditions. Scientific laws are a good evidence to use to support a claim in scientific argumentation. This movie uses Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion to explain geosynchronous orbit. Before they play the game, students could brainstorm in small groups to create a class list of scientific laws they are familiar with.
Link to Game Introduction Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsm9TlXqM4w
Full Text of Article:
An object that circles the Earth at an altitude of around 22,000 miles (35,000 km) will stay over the same spot all the time. This is called a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). Now, imagine lowering a cable down to the Earth. Electromagnetic or mechanical cable cars moving up the cable could be a cheap way to move people, cargo, and even power to and from outer space. This is what some engineers would call a "space elevator."To visualize this, imagine the game tetherball where a rope (the cable) is attached to a pole (the earth) with the ball (the counterweight) on the other end. Now, imagine the ball is placed in perpetual spin around the pole, so fast that it keeps the rope taut. This is the general idea of the space elevator. The counterweight spins around the Earth, keeping the cable straight and allowing the robotic lifters to ride up and down the ribbon.
A major requirement for such a system is the availability of cable that is both light and incredibly strong. Current materials such as steel or graphite fiber do not have the desired properties. Nevertheless, recent developments using carbon nanotube technology may solve this problem. Many scientists believe that a space elevator will be built within the next 20 to 50 years.
Space elevators could also be constructed on other planets or even the moon. The engineering challenges would be much less severe on the Moon or Mars where gravitational forces are much weaker.
References/Sources:
Additional Content:
Author: Cindy Wilbur